Renouncing Satan in Ancient Temple Rites

In Maxwell Johnson's book on the "Documents of the Baptismal Liturgy," we find that when some of the early Christians received their initiation rites they were not only taught the story of creation but they had a confrontation with a serpent named Satan. The initiates were told during this ritual to consider the adversary to be in their immediate presence and to tell him to "depart." Thus, a victory was gained against the initiate's enemy.

From LDS temple scholar Matthew Brown we learn: The renunciation of Satan and everything associated with him is a common element in early Christian initiation texts (see Edward Yarnold, The Awe-Inspiring Rites of Initiation, 17-18, 178).

In some texts it appears that Satan was considered to be present when this renunciation occurred (see Riley, Christian Initiation, 42-43, 49). In one set of initiation texts, the candidate raises one hand while renouncing Satan (see Vellian, ed., Studies on Syrian Baptismal Rites, 93).(Matthew B. Brown, The Gate of Heaven, 203.)

"Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them." (Job 1: 6)

"Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the Lord." (Job 2: 1)

Also See:
Casting out Satan